<figure>
											<div class="main">
												<img src="https://img.lb.wbmdstatic.com/vim/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/common_foot_problems/PRinc_rm_photo_of_ingrowing_toenail.jpg?resize=375:*" alt style="height:auto">
											</div>
											<figcaption>													
												
												
												<p class="module_description">
													Ingrown nails -- when your nail grows into the flesh instead of over it -- usually affect your toenails, especially your big toe. (Photo credit: Science Source)
												</p>
											</figcaption>
										</figure>
									
									</div><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-e08106a4-7fff-b189-d8d3-ffd210478939">If your ingrown toe gets infected, you’ll move on to other symptoms including:</span></p><ul><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-e08106a4-7fff-b189-d8d3-ffd210478939">Redness</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-e08106a4-7fff-b189-d8d3-ffd210478939">Pus coming out of your toe</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-e08106a4-7fff-b189-d8d3-ffd210478939">Bleeding</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-e08106a4-7fff-b189-d8d3-ffd210478939">Pain</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-e08106a4-7fff-b189-d8d3-ffd210478939">Feeling hot or shivery</span></li></ul></section><section><h2 class="jumplink-headers" id="091e9c5e80007b66-1-3">What Causes an Ingrown Nail?</h2><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d40f708b-7fff-5fdb-1bbc-32113a5cf6ad">You’re more likely to get ingrown nails when you:</span></p><ul><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-d40f708b-7fff-5fdb-1bbc-32113a5cf6ad"> Cut your </span>toenails too short</li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-d40f708b-7fff-5fdb-1bbc-32113a5cf6ad">Round your nail edges. To avoid ingrown nails, always trim straight across.</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-d40f708b-7fff-5fdb-1bbc-32113a5cf6ad">Wear ill-fitting shoes or tight hosiery that press your nail into your toe</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-d40f708b-7fff-5fdb-1bbc-32113a5cf6ad">Injure your toe by stubbing or jamming it</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-d40f708b-7fff-5fdb-1bbc-32113a5cf6ad">Put repeated stress on your toes from poor posture or physical activity that stresses your feet, such as running, ballet, or soccer</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-d40f708b-7fff-5fdb-1bbc-32113a5cf6ad">Inherit genes that make you more likely to have them</span></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-d40f708b-7fff-5fdb-1bbc-32113a5cf6ad">If the condition causing the </span>ingrown toenail continues, the skin that grows over your nail can lead to permanent changes in the tissue that can cause infection, more pain, and more swelling.</p></section><section><h2 class="jumplink-headers" id="091e9c5e80007b66-1-4">What Are Some Ingrown Nail Treatments and Home Remedies?</h2><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac49a12c-7fff-d45b-3dd4-fc877b19cac4">If your ingrown nail isn’t infected, you should be able to treat it at home. To manage symptoms, you can:</span></p><ul><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac49a12c-7fff-d45b-3dd4-fc877b19cac4">Soak your feet. Reduce swelling and tenderness by putting your feet in warm water for 15-20 minutes three to four times a day.</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac49a12c-7fff-d45b-3dd4-fc877b19cac4">Keep your feet dry. Let your feet breathe to avoid sweat or dampness.</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac49a12c-7fff-d45b-3dd4-fc877b19cac4">Use a wedge to lift your nail. Put dental floss or a small piece of cotton under the edge of your nail to help lift it as it grows out. Change it out daily.</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac49a12c-7fff-d45b-3dd4-fc877b19cac4">Apply antibiotic cream. Cover your toe with a bandage afterward to help protect it.</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac49a12c-7fff-d45b-3dd4-fc877b19cac4">Pick helpful shoes. Choose open-toed shoes or shoes with plenty of room in the toe. Don’t wear heels.</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac49a12c-7fff-d45b-3dd4-fc877b19cac4">Take pain relievers. Over-the-counter options like acetaminophen or  ibuprofen can help reduce tenderness and swelling.</span></li></ul><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac49a12c-7fff-d45b-3dd4-fc877b19cac4">If your symptoms don’t get better -- or get worse -- after you try home care, your doctor may need to treat the problem. They may try:</span></p><ul><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac49a12c-7fff-d45b-3dd4-fc877b19cac4">Prescription antibiotics. You may need oral or topical medication to help get rid of your infection.</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac49a12c-7fff-d45b-3dd4-fc877b19cac4">Lifting the nail. If your problem is mild and doesn’t involve pus, your doctor can use a splint to lift your nail and set it in a new position to help it grow above the skin.</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac49a12c-7fff-d45b-3dd4-fc877b19cac4">Removing some of your infected nail. Your doctor will numb your toe before surgically cutting away the part of the nail that’s growing into your skin.</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-ac49a12c-7fff-d45b-3dd4-fc877b19cac4">Removing all of your infected nail. If you keep having ingrown nails on the same toe or finger, your doctor may take off your whole nail. it can take up to 4 months to grow all the way back in. And it’s more likely to be misshapen once it grows back. </span></li></ul></section></div><div class="article-page " data-page="2"><section><h2 class="jumplink-headers" id="091e9c5e80007b66-2-5">How Can I Prevent Ingrown Nails?</h2><p>Proper grooming is the first step in preventing ingrown nails.</p><ul><li>Soak your feet first to soften the nails.</li><li>Always cut the nail straight across using nail clippers, and leave enough nail to cover the toe to protect it. (Do not use scissors, which are difficult to manipulate in the corners of the nail.) Smooth sharp edges with an emery board.</li><li>Wear socks and shoes that fit properly. Be aware that tight, pointed, high-heeled shoes and tight stockings can cause ingrown nails by putting pressure on the toes.</li><li>Parents should groom young children's nails. An older relative may need help, too, because of weakened vision and greater difficulty reaching their feet.</li></ul></section><section><h2 class="jumplink-headers" id="091e9c5e80007b66-2-6">What Are Some Ingrown Nail Complications?</h2><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-03d0bea9-7fff-37e5-e41b-12d1f2c173b4">If you have </span>diabetes, vascular problems, or numbness in your toes, you need to take special care to treat and prevent ingrown toenails. And don’t put off getting treatment. Ingrown nails that go untreated for a long time can make the problem more severe.</p><p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-03d0bea9-7fff-37e5-e41b-12d1f2c173b4">C</span>omplications that can develop include:</p><ul><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-03d0bea9-7fff-37e5-e41b-12d1f2c173b4">Bone infection</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-03d0bea9-7fff-37e5-e41b-12d1f2c173b4">Foot ulcers</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-03d0bea9-7fff-37e5-e41b-12d1f2c173b4">Gangrene (decaying tissue). This is rare.</span></li><li><span id="docs-internal-guid-03d0bea9-7fff-37e5-e41b-12d1f2c173b4">Losing a limb</span></li></ul></section></div>